Conference
Breaking Into the Children’s Book Market
Registration has now closed
📚 Overview
The children’s book market is booming — but it’s also evolving quickly. To break in, you need to know what’s selling now, what publishers are looking for, and how to connect with the kids (and parents) who make up your audience.
In this one-day online conference, you’ll hear directly from editors, literary agents, and illustrators at the forefront of the industry. Through presentations, panel talks, and Q&As, you’ll gain practical insights into the craft, trends, and business of publishing a children’s book right now.
🎓 What You’ll Learn
✅ Exclusive Access
You’ll hear from literary agents, editors, and illustrators who will share their knowledge about writing and publishing children’s books through presentations and panel talks. Each presentation will be followed by a live Q&A, giving you the chance to ask your questions.
You’ll also receive our exclusive children’s book development workbook that guides you through each step of creating your manuscript. Finally, you’ll receive post-event guidance on hiring an editor or designer through Reedsy and $25 credit to put toward a collaboration.
Schedule
11:00 - 11:45 EDT
Writing For the Younger Reader
Editor and former literary agent Mary Kole will show you how to approach writing for younger readers, from choosing your topic to placing your book in the right category. Whether you’re crafting a picture book or a Middle Grade adventure, this session will set you on the right track.
12:00 - 12:45 EDT
Popular Trends in Children’s Books
Join Charlotte Colwill (editor and literary agent) and Frances Gilbert (Big 5 children's editorial director) for a discussion on the hottest topics and styles in children’s books. Find out what’s resonating with readers right now — and what literary agents and publishers are looking for in 2025 and beyond.
13:15 - 14:00 EDT
Working with an Illustrator For Your Children’s Picture Book
Children’s book illustrator Leo Hartas will walk you through the collaborative process of bringing your story to life with visuals – from initial idea to final book.
14:15 - 15:00 EDT
How to Write Middle Grade Fiction
Editor Taylor Morris will cover the essentials of writing for Middle Grade readers: how it differs from YA, how to capture a young reader’s perspective, and how to handle tricky themes with sensitivity.
Speakers
Mary Kole
Developmental editor and former literary agent
Former literary agent Mary Kole provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres. She founded Good Story Company in 2019 to create valuable content for writers. She also develops unique and commercial intellectual property for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers with Bittersweet Books. Mary holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management.
Charlotte Colwill
Literary Agent and Editor
Charlotte began her career as a bookseller at shops including Waterstones and Daunt Books, and was a children's buyer at Foyles in London. She began her agenting career at Tibor Jones and the Jo Unwin Literary Agency, before launching Colwill & Peddle with Kay Peddle in 2022. She represents a wide range of children's fiction and is always on the lookout for standout new voices. You can find her editorial services on Reedsy.
Frances Gilbert
Editor and Author
Frances Gilbert is the editor in chief of Doubleday Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. In addition to being an editor, she is also a children’s book author. Her books include Can You Hug a Forest?, Go, Girls, Go!, Too Much Slime!, I Will Always Be Your Bunny, and a number of Step Into Reading easy readers. You can hire her as an editor on Reedsy.
Leo Hartas
Designer
Leo Hartas is a designer whose portfolio includes book illustration, theatrical design, and TV animation. His work for DK Publishing, The Apartment Book and Haunted Castle are children’s classics that have been in print in over a dozen countries. He also illustrated the Tweenies books for BBC Worldwide and King Arthur’s Spaceship for Macmillan, along with many others. You can hire him on Reedsy.
Taylor Morris
Editor
Taylor Morris has been a full-time freelance editor for more than fifteen years, specializing in young reader, middle grade, and young adult fiction. She is also the author of more than a dozen books for middle grade and young readers and is published by both Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House. Learn more here.
